Wednesday, January 27, 2016

January 25, 2016 - Monday ~ ~ Family Home EveningWalt and I went to dinner with Dave and Marilyn Gibbons for the monthly neighborhood Empty Nesters' Family Home Evening.

January 26, 2016 - TuesdayKaren Taylor called to tell us that D Taylor had a heart attack last night. When he was taken to the Emergency Room they also diagnosed him with pneumonia. We went to see him this afternoon in the ICU at the Regional Medical Center here in Burley. He was in good spirits. [After tests and EKG's it was determined that it was not a heart attack, but instead it was the pneumonia that caused his chest pain that mimicked a heart attack. D was discharged Thursday and we went to his home to see him and Karen on Friday.]

January 27, 2016 - WednesdayToday we drove to Twin Falls for the weekly temple session we do. We called Dale and Connie as we were crossing the Hansen Bridge, which we do every Wednesday to tell them when we're about to arrive at the temple.After 4-5 rings, "No answer," I said. Then I remembered and said to Walt: "Oh, they drove to St. George Monday to spend a few days there." [Their Christmas present to each other.]In the 11:00 session we did there were 43 sisters and 17 brothers. It's the biggest session we've been in at the Twin Falls Temple.After the session, we had lunch at Wendy's. A pretty blond gal said to us: "I bet I know where you've been.Hugh Mortenson, his wife and daughter moved to Twin Falls a couple of years ago from Grand Junction. They are friends with Steve and Connie Kelly. Connie is Uncle Tom and Aunt Marge Prescott's daughter. Small world!As Walt was looking at The Voice, a local, weekly newspaper, he saw the movies listed for the Century Stadium 5 here in Burley and asked: "Do you want to go see Star Wars tonight?"So we went to the movies. The last movie we saw here was last June with Steve when he came to see Walt in the hospital and we saw "The Coleville Incident.""a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."I liked it a lot. Walt kinda liked it, but since he hasn't really followed Star Wars that much, he didn't understand the significance of the appearances of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and [very brief appearance of]Mark Hamill 38 years after their first appearance in the original Star Wars in 1977.

Star Warsis an Americanepicspace
operafranchise,
centered on afilm
seriescreated
byGeorge
Lucas. It depicts the adventures of various characters "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."

I have liked the Star Wars series from the start because of the theme of Good triumphing over Evil.

January 28, 2016 - ThursdayI almost forgot the highlight of this week and this year:

A NEW GENERATION HAS COME FORTH

Introducing Taitum Eileen Anderson

We became great-grandparents.Taitum Eileen Anderson was born to Katie and Parker Anderson in Rexburg, Idaho.

Taitum is the first grandchild of Janie & Shawn Fisher, Rexburg.Katie Eileen Fisher Anderson is the third child, second daughter of Janie & Shawn.

Taitum weighed 6 lbs 11 oz, 19 inches long. She was born at 2:00 p.m. on this Thursday, January 28, 2016.

We welcome this precious new baby into our family with open arms.

Children: 7 -- checkGrandchildren: 35 -- checkGreat-grandcildren: 1 -- checkWe are happy to be great-grandparents.Walt & Eileen Petersen -- Excited to have this new generation come forth in our family!Walt worked most of the morning on budget financial plans but by about 1:00 I found him having a nap on the carpet between the living room and the dining room.

That evening we had some much needed help with some furniture in the family room.

Our home teacher, Eric Pierce, and Steve Ormond helped switch the coach and the love seat around after they had helped move them in December to make room for the Christmas tree in the corner of the family room.

January 29, 2016 - FridayKathleen Hedberg comes almost every Friday morning to help us for two hours with family history. She has helped Walt find Walt's Grandmother Nellie Katie Olson Petersen's family names in Sweden back to the 1700's.

January 30, 2016 - SaturdayWe went to the graveside service for Robert "Bob" H. Hinkley. He and Barbara had lived in Burley many years. During those years Barbara was a nurse at the Burley Hospital. I always liked to have her on duty when I went in for colonoscopies.

She said Bob had had dementia for three years and she had been at his side helping all that time. Some days he knew who she was and some days he didn't.I thought I got a photo at the cemetery, but I guess I didn't. Susan Young sent me these two photos she took of us talking to Barbara.

Our good friends Neal and Kenna Wyatt were there, too.

We four had lunch together at the Upper Crust just across the Heyburn Bridge. Their potato soup was delicious. Walt and Neal liked their BLT's, but Kenna said she liked the turkey avocado sandwich better than the turkey cranberry one she got today.

We had a great time talking to each other for an hour or more.

I took this picture so we could remember their hours.

And I took this photo because this is how I feel about Walter Ray Petersen--my eternal sweetheart.

We finished out Saturday evening by watching Lawrence Welk...a show first broadcast in 1975 called "Masterpiece songs."January 31, 2016 - SundayOf course, the focus of Sacrament Meeting is to partake of the sacrament in remembrance of our Savior and His Atonement for each of us. We do want to "always remember Him."There were three excellent talks today. Craig Helms was asked by the Bishop to share his testimony about the blessings of the temple. Sister Stephanie Haynes was given the topicSister Ruth Melling's topic was "The First Vision and Faith."In Sunday School Lesson 5-- "Hearken to the Truth, and Give Heed Unto It," the purpose was to inspire us to follow Nephi's example of faith and willing obedience."The Priesthood and Relief Society combined for the fifth Sunday where the Bishop shared the Burley 3rd Ward Goals for this year, and the Idaho Area Priorities. Some of which are: Sacrament meeting attendance, Sabbath day observance, Temple ordinances. We taught a very knowledgeable couple their 4th lesson in the Temple Preparation Seminar.Ruth Melling had invited us to dinner, along with her son Kirt,

the two missionary sisters for our ward, Sister Lima and Sister Cartwright.

James and Lizzy Lara.

Us...

and Ruth.

The dinner was delicious--chicken casserole, green beans, tossed green salad, along with red gelatin salad with raspberries in it topped with whipped cream, and lime gelatin whipped with cool whip with cottage and crushed pineapple in it. I forgot to take a photo of all that, but did get a picture of dessert: chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream.

We enjoyed getting to know the missionaries and the Lara's.

Kirt drove up last night as a surprise for his Mom. He came to listen to her talk in Sacrament Meeting and also to spend a couple of days with her. Kirt and all of her kids have been very attentive to Ruth, always, and especially since Don passed away last August.

Ruth is a very Elect Lady and we have loved having her and Don and family as our neighbors for over 40 years.

We pray that you have each had a restful and peaceful Sabbath Day. We leave our Testimony with you that we along with the testimonies this day of Brother Helms, Sister Haynes, Sister Melling, Brother Watts, and Bishop Gerratt that we know that:Heavenly Father lives and loves each one of us.Jesus Christ is the Son of God and fulfilled his foreordination to come to earth to become our Redeemer and Savior by His Atonement for each one of us.Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ did appear to Joseph Smith to have him restore all of Their Truths to the Earth.Joseph Smith fulfilled his foreordination to fulfill his calling to do as he was asked by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, becoming the Restorer of All Truth.The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ and is true, as is the Bible "as far as it is translated correctly."Thomas S. Monson is the Living Prophet on the Earth today.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.The Temple Priesthood Ordinances have been restored to the Earth as part of The Great Restoration. These ordinances seal families together forever.Of these truths we testify on this Sabbath Day - January 31, 2016.In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.Walt and Eileen Petersen - Burley, I D A H O

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

January 18, 2016 - Monday ~ ~ Family Home EveningWalt re-glued the living room cocoa table. We hope it holds this time.

January 19, 2016 - Tuesday ~ ~ Evening Relief Society

This will surprise our kids...Walt gave the title of his orange and white 1974 Chevy Cheyenne pickup to Glen Wilkinson this morning. Glen will haul it over to Paul to his brother-in-law's farm, where he has several other old pickups to use the parts to fix up other old pickups.There goes the title froom Walt to Glen.

So it's "Goodbye to the 42-year-old orange antique pickup."(I have to try to find a photo of it.)

Tonight in our monthly evening meeting the theme was "Getting to Know You." Each sister brought a brown paper bag with 3-5 items that described her. Here are some of the gals that helped make it all happen.L-R: Donna Westergard, Bonnie Fronk, over the Tuesday evening gatherings, Karen Taylor, and Emily Hill, second counselor in the R.S. presidency.

The lunch-size brown bags had a number put on them then were passed out randomly and the sister would display the items from the bag she received and everyone was to guess which sister the items described.

It was a fun way to learn more about each sister. Sister Weeks guessed the most correctly - 12 of the 16. Several got 9-11 correct.

Healthy snacks were served for refreshments. Delicious cookies were made by LaRae Crane from butternut squash with no sugar.Donna Westergard made some yummy muffins from butternut squash that had no fat in them. There was also a nut cup with nuts, raisins, and M'nM's. A small plastic cup had fresh raspberries and blueberries mixed in yogurt. A non-buttered bowl of popcorn was on the table, as well as some healthy brownies.I took kiwi, green grapes, and Clementine oranges. Bonnie Fronk had some tangerines in a beautiful bowl.(The photo below shows what was left to take home.)

Bonnie had these darling winter-time figurines as the centerpiece on the serving table.It was a delightful evening to be together.

January 20, 2016 - Wednesday ~ ~ To the TempleafternextJanuary 21, 2016 - Thursday ~ ~ Serendipity Book ClubWe always enjoy being together at our Serendipity Book/Study Club the third Thursday of each month from September to May. For January we met at the home of Gladys Harrison. Our president, Susan Young, started with a fun question to go along with our theme for the 2015-2016 year: Seasons..."To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1-8Susan's question was: "In one word or phrase, what describes the season of your life right now?"Susan: "Organize"Terri: "Grandchildren"

Gladys: "Joy - every day - like in the Temple"June: "Giving - Give my treasures to my grandkids"Bonnie: "Memories, Peace, Anxiously engaged with Grandkids"Marilyn: "Family"Eileen: "Family History - Family Life Stories"

The "Whet Your Appetite" was given by June Tilley on "Gold Fever" by Helen E. Wilson about the gold mine in Jarbidge, Nevada. It was published in 1974.Ilene Mai's sister has a bed and breakfast in Jarbidge.Eileen's note: My dad was the Gold Tender there from March 1940 to October 1941 until the Guggenheim Gold Mine closed because the gold ran out. I was 1 1/2 to almost 3 years old so don't really remember, but my Mom and Dad have fond memories of their time living there. As the Gold Tender, my Dad operated the device (like a shaft elevator) that took the miners down into the mine, then brought them and the gold up out of the mine.

Karma Lambert gave the book review by comparing Book of Mormon commentaries.

(Also in the photo with Karma are the hostess, Gladys Harrison, and Karen Robins.)

1. Book of Mormon - Commentary - Parts 1, 2, and 3 by David J. Ridges. This was her first choice because she likes the information given in the commentaries. About $17 paper back per Part. Published in 2007.

3. The Book of Mormon - Verse by Verse - Volume One and Volume Two - by D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew Skinner - very detailed - excellent - $35.00 a volume.

4. Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon - 4 Volume Set by Joseph McConkie $50 for the set.

5. Commentaries and Teachings on the Book of Mormon by Ed Pinegar and Richard Allen. $16 Kindle, $25 Hard Cover, $26 CD.

6. Institute Book of Mormon Teacher's Manual 7. Linda Petersen also added that The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families is a great resource. $55.

8. A Second Witness was also mentioned.

Karma's conclusion was that she uses the Ridges' one the most because of the down-to-earth information it gives. But the others are also excellent...each has it's own style of commentary.Also a list of Women Sleuth Series was handed out. These books are not "stand alone books." In other words, it is hard to pick up a book in the middle of the series and be able to know about the characters, etc.1. Lois Meade Mysteries: 14 book series. Author: Ann Purser Setting: Present day England2. Maisie Dobbs Mysteries: 11 book series Author: Jacqueline Winspear Setting: England, post World War I3. Gaslight Mysteries: 18 book series. Author: Victoria Thompson Setting: Early 1900's New York.4. Ladies Detective Agency Author: Alexander McCall SmithWe had 12 of our 18 members in attendance.Front row: Carol, Jennie, Karma, Bonnie, June.Back row: Gladys, Eileen, Karen, Marilyn, Susan, Terri.We missed several were sick. Kathy had returned from vacation to a flooded home from broken water pipes.

We all like to "linger longer" and talk with each other after the book review is finished. Gladys, always a gracious hostess, served delicious ice cream bars for refreshments.

In each home it's interesting to see how important family is and how the family pictures are displayed.

About Us

Walt was born in Wendell, Idaho,and has lived in Idaho 64 of his 83 years. Eileen was born in the Twin Falls Idaho Hospital going home to Wendell from there, and have lived in Idaho for 56 of my 78 years. Married June 14, 1961 in Salt Lake Temple. We thank our children and grandchildren for the wonderful 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration they hosted for us in June 2011. We went on a Mediterranean cruise (thanks again to our children) to celebrate our 50th--a year early to be with D. Kelly Ogden as he lectured "In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle." We have lived in St. Louis,MO, Minneapolis,MN; Talihina,OK; Burley,IDAHO 42 years, 3 years in Merida, Mexico;2 years in Guatemala City, Guatemala; 18 mos in Argentina,Oct 2008 to Mar 2010; and 3 years as temple president and matron of the new (dedicated Aug 21, 2011) San Salvador El Salvador Temple for--July 2011 to Nov 1, 2014. We love and adore each other, our 7 children, their spouses, and our 35 grandchildren.
Walt is a physician, I was a medical secretary for PHT, then homemaker and mother.
We are staunch Republicans.